See here. Given that most GHG emissions from individuals come from driving, for carbon tax proponents a gas tax or driving tax would make the most sense (though potentially politically toxic). If you’re interested in learning more on this type of idea, the book “Heat” is a good read.

In Everyday Environmentalism, Czarnezki investigates the individual decisions that have the worst environmental impacts, along with the ecological costs of food choices and the environmental costs of sprawl. In the process, he reveals how public policy can both respect and influence personal choice to drive environmental change.

Learning Chinese is a struggle (to put it mildly). Before leaving for my Fulbright experience last academic year, I took private Mandarin lessons once a week and used Rosetta Stone. Upon arrival in China, we were immersed in the language and had a Chinese language tutor. Only now do I have the base knowledge to actually begin learning Chinese; all over again. So I am going to start re-learning Chinese from scratch, with the base knowledge I wish I had before.

The journey began today when I attended our China Program‘s Mandarin Language Table (our Dean buys lunch for anyone interested in discussing current events in Mandarin for an hour, and, given the success of the our China Program, we have quite a number of Chinese speakers on staff and in our student body). I was glad I went, but today’s topic was the future of space programs in China and the United States. As you might expect the vocabulary was extremely difficult (space 太空, space ship 宇宙飞船, etc.). Overall, I was surprised by my showing. My listening comprehension was far better than I had expected, but my speaking ability was far, far worse than I had hoped.

On the good side, last night I finished the book Game Change, and started the book Lost Moon (which has literally been sitting on my shelf for literally 17 years since I met fellow Milwaukeean Jim Lovell and he signed a copy for me). After reading Game Change, two things stuck out: (1) Did John Edwards really think he could become President given her personal affairs?, and (2) Regardless of your views of Sarah Palin, she did energize the Republican base and really was not well-supported by McCain campaign due the very quick vetting process (if you can call it that).

Today was an absolutely crazy/busy day. With my partner at Yale, I walked the dogs, got the kids (who still have jetlag from the China trip) up and dressed, walked the older kid to school with younger kid in tow, took care of the younger kid all day, picked up older kid with younger kid in tow, dropped off car for partner downtown so she has it when bus gets in, took kids for snack, walked home (note: it’s cold in Vermont and sidewalks are still in poor condition from Wednesday’s snow), cooked dinner, gave kids bath, read stories and put kids to bed. During this day, I received too many emails to count, I’ve sent 59 emails so far, I had three work phone calls, and I’ve scheduled a dozen meetings for the next two weeks…it’s a good thing my younger daughter is very good at playing by herself when Daddy is on the phone.

In other news, here’s the NY Times article about the EPA actually using their Clean Water Act section 404 veto authority to stop a coal mining project. Additional commentary at Green Law. In my forthcoming book, in the chapter on sprawl, I write:

In terms of federal enforcement, EPA must more readily exert the veto authority granted to it under the Clean Water Act. Rather than acquiesce to what can become almost routine issuance of wetlands fill permits by the Corps, EPA could more actively review the effects of permit issuance for “unacceptable adverse effects.” EPA generally has been too reluctant to exert this authority.

Finally, in light of the ridiculously busy day, I refuse to do work tomorrow night. Go Pack.